Obtain a cardiology consult for those patients presenting with a genetic syndrome



Obtain a cardiology consult for those patients presenting with a genetic syndrome


Russell Cross MD



What to Do – Gather Appropriate Data, Make a Decision, Take Action

The complex relationship between genetic composition and environmental influences leading to congenital heart disease (CHD) is just beginning to be understood. From a clinical standpoint, however, there are several well-described genetic syndromes and nongenetic associations involving CHD, of which the pediatric clinician should be aware. Table 245.1 outlines the most commonly encountered genetic syndromes and nongenetic associations that are commonly seen with CHD.








Table 245.1 Genetic Syndromes and Nongenetic Associations Involving Congenital Heart Disease














































Syndrome Genetic Association Related Congenital Heart Disease
Down’s syndrome Trisomy chromosome 21

  • Atrioventricular septal defect (35%)
  • Ventricular septal defect ± other lesions (8%)
  • Patent ductus arteriosus (7%)
  • Tetralogy of Fallot (4%)
  • Some studies suggest adults with Down’s syndrome have increased risk of mitral and aortic valve disease, like mitral valve prolapse and aortic insufficiency
Trisomy 18 Trisomy chromosome 18

  • Congenital heart disease in >50%
  • Most commonly ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus


  • DiGeorge syndrome
  • Velocardiofacial syndrome
Deletion in chromosome 22q11

  • Congenital heart disease in approximately 75%
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Interrupted aortic arch
  • Other conotruncal abnormalities
  • Ventricular septal defect
Williams-Beuren syndrome Deletion in chromosome 7q11.23, resulting in involving elastin

  • Supravalvar aortic stenosis
  • Supravalvar pulmonic stenosis
  • Stenosis of peripheral vessels, such as renal arteries
Turner syndrome 45, X

  • Left-sided heart disease
  • Coarctation of the aorta (10%)
  • Aortic valve disease—stenosis, insufficiency, bicuspid aortic valve (18%)
Marfan syndrome FBN1 mutation causing abnormalities in fibrillin-1

  • Aortic root dilation
  • Mitral valve prolapse
Holt-Oram syndrome Related to TBX5 gene

  • Atrial septal defect
  • Ventricular septal defect
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
Noonan syndrome PTPN11 mutation in 50%

  • Valvar pulmonic stenosis
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
VACTERL Association

  • Atrial septal defect
  • Ventricular septal defect
CHARGE Association

  • Conotruncal abnormalities—Tetralogy of Fallot, Truncus arteriosus
  • Aortic arch abnormalities—Interrupted aortic arch, vascular rings
CHARGE, Coloboma, heart defect, choanal atresia, retarded growth and development, genital hypoplasia, ear abnormality; VACTERL, Vertebral anomaly, imperforate anus, cardiac abnormality, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal abnormalities, limb abnormalities.

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Jul 1, 2016 | Posted by in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on Obtain a cardiology consult for those patients presenting with a genetic syndrome

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